Marquise de pompadour, C.1755, Pastel on seven sheets of blue paper mounted on canvas, 1.31x1.775m, Commissioned from La Tour by the mistress of Louis XV. Musee du Louvre, Paris.

Learn about the history, the creation and the development of pastels through the years.

Pastel art has captivated artists and art lovers for centuries. This unique medium has a rich history, evolving alongside painting and drawing. Pastel art boasts a roster of famous artists who pushed its creative limits. Read on for an overview of pastel art's journey, notable artists and famous works that define its legacy.

Pastels first emerged as a medium in the 15th and 16th centuries in Renaissance Italy. Early forms were crafted by grinding pigments and combining them with a binder. This produced a medium that allowed for softer, richer colouring than other drawing materials. Italian artists, particularly Leonardo da Vinci, experimented with early pastels, and the technique spread gradually across Europe.

The most famous pastel artist of the 15th and 16th Centuries is Leonardo da Vinci.

Leonardo da Vinci, vintage engraved illustration. 

Did you know...

Although Leonardo da Vinci didn’t invent pastels as we know them today, he did play a key role in pioneering the use of soft chalk and pigment. He used these for preliminary sketches and shading and laid the groundwork for the development of pastel as an art medium.

During the Renaissance, artists like Leonardo were constantly experimenting with new methods and materials, and Leonardo was one of the first to experiment with coloured chalks, which resemble the early forms of pastels.

So while Leonardo didn’t invent the pastel stick itself, his visionary use of chalk-based materials set the stage for its creation, and his blending and shading techniques became essential methods for pastel artists who followed.

18th Century: The rise of pastel portraits

Maria Frederike van Reede-Athlone at Seven Years of Age, by Jean-Etienne Liotard, 1755-56. Swiss painting, pastel on vellum. 55x45cm.

By the 18th century, pastels gained prominence, especially in France, where artists began specialising in pastel portraiture. The Rococo period, with its affinity for light colours and detailed textures, was particularly suited to pastels. Portraits were especially popular, as pastels provided a soft, lifelike quality ideal for capturing the delicacy of skin tones. Famous pastel artists of the 18th Century include Rosalba Carriera and Maurice Quentin de La Tour.

19th Century: The revival of pastel art

1893, pastel on cardboard. As possibly the earliest execution of The Scream, this appears to be the version in which Munch  mapped out the essentials of the composition.

Pastels saw a resurgence in the 19th century, largely because of the Impressionist movement. Artists experimented with the medium’s colour, texture, and immediacy. They explored how pastels could depict fleeting light and movement. Artists found that pastels’ quick application allowed them to capture scenes rapidly, making it ideal for outdoor settings.

The Rehearsal Onstage, by Edgar Degas, 1874, French impressionist drawing, pastel on paper.

Edgar Degas was a key artist of this movement and was among the first to explore the expressive potential of pastels. His ballet scenes demonstrate how he used pastels to convey the energy and grace of dancers. He blended delicate layers to achieve a soft focus and light quality.

Friend of Degas, Mary Cassatt was one of the most influential artists of 20th-century American art. Degas inspired her to work in pastels on her portraits.

If you're new to pastels, don't stop here! Explore our other beginner-friendly guides to learn all you need to progress and develop your pastel skills.

20th Century: Expansion and experimentation

Chase, October, by William Merritt, 1903, 47x57cm.

In the 20th century, pastels continued to expand as artists experimented with abstraction and modernism. With advances in materials, pastels became more accessible and versatile. The medium grew popular among avant-garde artists who saw its potential in both detail and abstraction.

Pablo Picasso, a prominent 20th Century artist, experimented with every medium, and although not usually associated with him, he did use soft pastels occasionally. 

Pastel art today: A modern medium with endless potential

Andrea Naylor, portrait of a wise man

Today, pastels remain a beloved medium for artists around the world. With advancements in pastel types artists have a broad range of tools to explore different textures and techniques. This medium comes in various forms, including soft pastels, hard pastels, and oil pastels.

Some contemporary pastel artists have brought new life to the medium:

• Wolf Kahn (1927 – 2020) blended realism and abstraction, using pastels to create lush, vibrant landscapes

• Aaron Schuerr used pastels to create hyper realistic paintings of the natural world

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